A robbery at a Coventry post office was foiled today by have-a-go heroes who pounced on raiders despite being threatened with a gun.

They sprang into action when two men carrying a black handgun targeted a cash delivery at the New Inn Bridge post office in Foleshill Road, Little Heath, at 9.10am.

It's believed at least two local men who heard the alarm grabbed one of the robbers.

Sgt Paul Hammond, of Stoney Stanton Road CID, said: "Two offenders turned up armed with a black handgun. The guard has gone into the post office and the post office staff realised what was happening and hit the alarm. Members of the public heard the alarm and went to tackle the robbers."

They managed to hold one of the robbers until police arrived and he was arrested and taken to Stoney Stanton Road police station for questioning.

His accomplice fled on foot towards the city centre empty handed.

The handgun was recovered by officers who spent several hours at the scene carrying out forensic tests.

Sgt Hammond said the gun was an 8mm automatic blank-firing handgun adapted to fire live ammunition.

Shopowners near the post office, which is opposite Pele's Balti Pub, were shocked by the raid.

Dave Whetstone, who runs the Dave's Den hardware store, said: "I heard some bangs. I thought there was an alarm going off, so I went to have a look. One of the blokes had him (a robber) in a headlock."

The 56-year-old, who has run the store for seven years, added: "Nothing like that has happened round here. You see it in the paper, you don't think it is going to happen round here. It's frightening."

Steve Carr, manager of CDS Domestic Spares, which is next door to the post office, said one of the raiders ran past him as he arrived for work.

He said: "When I came in there was a lad went running past. There is the odd drunk but I have never seen anything quite like that round here. It's a bit shocking. You just hope it doesn't happen to you."

Anyone with any information about the robbery is asked to contact police on 0845 113 5000.